Printing-telegraph



.Nomaden 3 sheets-sheet 1.

R. A. FOWDEN.

PRINTING TELBGRAPH. No. 524,711. Patent-ed Aug. 21. 1894.

{No.Model.) l 1 3 sheets-sheer, 2.

R. A. FOWDEN. lRINTAING TELBGRAPH.

No. 524,711. Patented Aug. 21, 1894.

me Nonms PETERS co., mom-mmc.. WASHINGTON. u, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT A. FOVVDEN, OE PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE FOWDEN PRINTING TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF TRENTON, NEW

' JERSEY.

PRINTING-TELEGRAPH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,711, dated August 21, 1894. Application iled December 22, 1893. Serial No. 494,461. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, ROBERT A. FowDEN, a citizen of the United States,iresiding at the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Telegraphs, of which4 the following is a specication.

My invention has relation in general to a printing telegraph system for which Letters Patent of the United States No. 509,430 were granted to me under date of November 28, 1893; and it relates more particularly to certain improvements in the construction, ar` rangement and operation of the mechanical and electrical devices and circuits of such system.

The principal objects of my present invention are, first, to provide an efficient, reliable and inexpensive printing telegraph instrument; second,to reduce the number of parts and lto simplify the general construction'and arrangement of the mechanical as well as the electrical devices thereof; third, to increase the efciency and to lessen the number of circuits and circuit connections in such a printing telegraph system fourth, to provide compact mechanical and electrical circuit controlling devices adapted to be operated so as to increase the efficiency of a printing telegraph instrument or a series of instruments looped together in circuit and to lessen the number of circuits, electro-magnets and relays in such instrument or instruments; fifth, to insure perfect synchronism in the movement of the type-wheel shafts of the transmitting and mechanical appliances,whereby double duty is performed by them; and sixth, to construct and arrange the circuit connections of the line conductor or conductors in .such manner as that accidental interruption or cutting out of the same arrests both the receiver and the transmitter, whereby the operator at each instrument is apprised of the ocfcurrence of au accident or any want of synconductor and provided with duplicate lnechanical and electrical devices operated synchronously by means of two sets of local circuits and switches, whereof one set is employed for transmitting and the other in receiving and by means of two line circuits of which one is employed for releasing and starting the type-wheel shafts and the other for effecting the printing operations and both of the line circuits traversing a single line conductor. The mechanical and electrical devices at each instrument comprise a typewheel shaft, an electric motor operated by the armature-lever of an electro-magnet and a retracting spring and adapted to revolve said shaft and to control the vibrating actions of a mechanical circuit closer and breaker, a unison latch for stopping the shaft and holding the retracting spring of the motor in tension at the unison position to permit of the subsequent starting of the instrument under the influence of the retractingspringof the motor, a circuit interrupter, that is, an automatic circuit maker and breaker adapted to break the normal line circuit through the coils of relay electro-magnets of the transmitter and receiver at the unison position, and also adapted to alternately make and break the normal line circuit at positions other than unison to operate the motors and drive the shafts, a detent, toothed wheel and locking electro-maguet for locking the shaft at the unison position and in each printing position with the circuit interrupter in a position for preventing the completion of the stroke of the motor, whereby the motor is adapted to subsequently complete its stroke and proceed in its customary manner; a sunflower device, brush, printing keys and double contact unison key; a mechanical circuit closer and breaker tending to effect an impression when the type-wheel shaft is arrested at a position other than the unison position; and a printing electro-magnet having an armature lever for eecting impressions, feeding the paper and transferring the unison latch from the outermost portion of its spiral to the innermost portionl thereof.

The set of local unison circuits that is employed in connection with the unison line cirroo ntacts ofY the normally open double Ycontact unison key, and then through a conductor of high resistance to line; the conductor of high resistance serving to eect a proper distribution of the current in the local and line unison circuits. From the line the unison line circuit passes through the coils of a relay electro-magnet and through a generator to earth at the receiver. The local unison circuit of the receiver passes from earth through a generator and through the armature lever of the relayelectromagnet and then through the coils of the motor electro-magnet to earth. The set of local printing and motor circuits that is employed after the unison line circuit has been broken and in connection with the normal printing line circuit, and the above described mechanical and electrical devices will now be described.

At the transmitter the normal line circuit passes from earth through a generator and the coils of a relay electro-magnet, whose armature-lever controls and closes the local motor circuit through a generator and the coils of the motor magnet. Then the normal line circuit passes through the circuit interrupter to line, and the coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiverand to earth through a generator. At the transmitter the local printing circuit is from earth through a generator, the sun-flower device, contacts of the character keys, and the coils of the locking, printing and unison electro-magnets, to earth. At the receiver the local motor circuit is controlled by the armaturelever of the relay electro-magnet and is closed through the motor electro-magnet; and the local printing circuit passes from earth through a generator and the contacts of a mechanical circuit closer and breaker and then through thecoils of the printing and unison electro-magnet, to earth. Assuming that the instruments are in the unison position, the operation of starting the instruments and of printing are as follows:- The double contact unison key is depressed at the transmitter, thus closing the local unison circuit through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet, whereby the unison latch is released and the printing pallet is caused to contact with a blank space on the type-wheel, the paper fed forward and the locking bar or f detent brought into a position for locking the shaft. The depression of the unison key also closes the unison line circuit, thereby energizin g the relay electro-magnet at the receiver. The relay electro-magnet at the receiver being thus energized attracts its armature and closes the local unison circuit through the coils of the motor electro magnet and by means-of `the mechanical circuit closer and breaker through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet, whereby the unison latch at the receiver is released and the shaft is locked by the locking-bar or detent as at the transmitter, so that both shafts are locked in position for holding the retracting springs of their motors'du unison. VWTheunison key at the transmitter is then released, thereby breaking the local unison circuit through the coils of the locking electro magnet and through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet of the transmitter and also breaking the unison line circuit, so that the relay at the receiver is demagnetized audits armaturelever falls back and breaks the local unison circuit through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnets, of the receiver. Under these conditions the unison latches at both instruments are permitted to return under the iniiuence of their retracting springs to the innermost portions of the spiral grooves of the unison disks and the tension in the respective retractil] g springs of the motors is such as to cause the type-wheel shafts of both instruments to be slightly rotated under the influence of the motor springs. Such rotation of the shafts causes at the transmitter the normal line circuit to be made through the coils of the relay electro-magnets of both instruments and to be subsequently broken and the repeated makes and breaks in the normal line circuit due to the operation of the interruptor at thetransmitter will cause the motor circuits to be made and broken at the relay electro-magnets, thereby causing the motors to actuate the type-wheel shafts, to insure perfect synchronism of movement, be-

`cause each motor is controlled by its relay and both relays are controlled by the circuit interrupter at each transmitter. The depression of a letter key causes the local printing circuit to be closed through it, at the transmitter as soon as the suniiower brush sweeps onto its corresponding contact, and then through the coils of the locking electro-magnet and the coils of the printing and unison electromagnets, whereby the former operates to arrest the type-wheel shaft and the latter to release the unison latch, feed the paper and effect an Yimpression of the character on the type-wheel corresponding with the character of a depressed key. The locking electro-magnet at the transmitter, however, arrests its type-wheel shaft just before the motor has completed its full stroke, so that upon the release of the key, the motor will first complete its stroke and then proceed in the same manner that it did before the key was depressed. The arrest of the type-wheel shaft at the trans- ICO mitter ata character in the manner above described causes its circuit interrupter to come to rest in position for permitting the normal line circuit to present the relay electro-magnet at the receiver in a condition corresponding with that of the relay electro-magnet at the transmitter. Under these circumstances,

" the relay electro-magnet at the receiver acting through its armature lever arrests the motor and the latter arrests the receiver type-wheel shaft, whereupon the circuit closer makes the circuit through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet and effects an impression at the receiver. When the printing key is released at the transmitter, the motor completes its stroke so that both .instru ments are automatically set in motion; and inasmuch as the unison latch is returned to its initial position during the printing operation, it follows that the other letter keys may be depressed, in order to print other characters. 1f this is not done both instruments run to unison and may be again operatedin the manner hereinbefore explained.

My invention stated in general terms consists of the improvements in a printing telegraph system, hereinafter described and claimed.

Thenature and general features of my invention will be more fully understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, and in which- Figure l.s is a diagrammatic view illustrating a printing telegraph instrument embodying features of my invention and arranged as a transmitter, and showing also the parts of said instrument in the unison position with the retracting springs of the motor held in tension by the unison-latch and a motor. Fig. 2, is a similar View of a printing telegraph instrument embodying features of my invention and arranged as a receiver. Fig. 3, is a perspective View of the mechanical circuit closer and breaker of the local printing circuit, showing in full lines the same in the unison position, whereof the local printing circuit is interrupted and in the positions shown in dotted lines, whereof thelocal printing circuit is closed. Fig. 4, is a diagrammatic viewillustrating portions of the typewheel shaft provided with a toothed wheel and with a circuit interrupter controlling the circuit of an electric-motor adapted to driveV the shaft and showing a contact sweeping over the segment of the circuit maker and breaker, and a detent for locking the typewheel shaft before the contact has passed off a segment over which it is traveling, in order that the motor may be arrested before the completion of its stroke. Fig. 5, is a perspective view, showing the unison device for arresting the type-wheel shafts of the respective instruments in the unison position; and

Fig. 6, is a sectional detail view of the swin ging or vibrating mechanical circuit closer and breaker.

In the drawings ct, is a type-wheel shaft afforded a freedom of rotary motion in suitable bearings, not shown, and provided with a type-wheel a', havingin the present instance upon its rim-or face forty characters and two blank spaces, not shown.

b, is an electric-motor adapted to drive the type-wheel shaft d, with a uniform step by step movement and comprising a ratchet wheel b', and a star or stop-wheel h2, secured to the shaft a, a bar b3, provided with spring controlled pawls b4 and b5, for rotating the ratchet-wheel b', and with stops bG and t7, for engaging the star-wheel b2, at ornear the completion of the stroke of each pawl, an armature-lever bs, a ret-racting spring b9, and motor electro-magnet hw, for reciprocating the bar h3, connected by an arm bu, with the armature-lever bs.

When the motor electro-magnet bw, is energized, its armature lever bs, by means of the arm b, shifts the bar b3, toward the left in Fig. 3, thereby causing the pawl b5, to engage the ratchet-wheel b', and rotate the shaft a, in the direction of the arrow, until the stop bs, meshes with a tooth of the star wheel b2, and arrests the shaft a, in such position that one of the characters on the type-wheel a', is in proper position for permitting an impression to be taken therefrom. When the motor electro-magnet blo, is demagnetized the retracting spring b9, shifts the bar b3, toward the right in Fig. 3, thereby causing'the pawl h4, to engage the ratchet-wheel 1J', and rotate the shaft a, in the direction of the arrow until the stop 197, meshes with a tooth of the starwheel b2, and arrests the shaft a, in such position that lthe next character of the typewheel a', is in proper position for permitting an impression to be taken therefrom. Subsequent magnetization and demagnetization of the motor electro-magnet Z910, causes the bar b3, to be shifted backward and forward and with the result that the pawls b4 and b5, and stops h6 and bl', rotate the type-wheel shaft d, with an intermittent motion and in such IOO IIO

manner that successive characters on the type-wheel a', are brought into printing position by the actions of the motor.

c, is a disk mounted on the type-wheel shaft a, and provided with a spiral groove c.

c2, is a spring controlled unison latch adapted to engage the outer end of the spiral groove c', and thus arrange the type-wheel shaft d, when a blank space on the type-wheel a', is in the position hereinbefore designated, the printing position, and when the retracting spring b9, is in tension. In this connection it may be remarked that the arrest of the type-wheel shaft ai, by the unison latch c2, causes the ratchet-wheel b', to hold the pawl b5, and thus prevent the movement of the bar b3, whereby the retracting spring b9, is held in tension, so as to permit of the subsequent starting of the motors as will be hereinafter fully described.

The type-wheel shafts a, of both transmitter and receiver, it should be borne in mind, make two revolutions and are then arrested by the unison latch c2,in the outer'end of the spiral groove c', of the disk c.

d, is a circuit interrupter adapted to produce makes and breaks in the coils of the relay electro-magnet m, to which the motor electro-magnet blo, responds and is composed of a conducting disk d', insulated from the shaft a, and provided with insulating segments corresponding in position with the divisions on the type-wheel a', a second conducting disk d2, insulated from' the shaft a, and in electrical connection with the disk d', a contact spring d3, for the disk d2, and an adjustable contact spring d4, for the disk d.

e, is a type-wheel shaft locking and releasing device comprising a toothed wheel e', having spaces corresponding in number and position with the divisions on the type-wheel ct', an armature lever e2, provided with a springc, for controlling the same and with a detent e4, adapted to engage in a space between the teeth of the toothed-wheel e. In this connection it may be remarked, that in use the contact spring d4, is adjusted in such manner that when the shaft et, is arrested by the armature-lever e2, the spring'dl, will occupy a position at or near the edge of one of the segments of the disk d', upon which it is traveling as illustrated in Fig. 4, so that the armature lever of the electric motor b, cannot complete its stroke; and moreover, because when the spring d4, rests on a conducting segment of the disk d', the line circuit will be closed, and when the spring d4, rests on an insulating segment, the line circuit will be interrupted. However, when the typewheel shaft a, is arrested by the unison latch c', the spring d4, will rest upon an insulating segment of the disk d', and thus the line circuit will be interrupted. These adjustments or peculiarities of construction and arrangement are productive of advantageous results which will be hereinafter fully explained.

f, is a sunflower device comprising a rigidly supported conducting annulusf, an annulus f2, composed of insulating and conducting segments as illustrated in section in Figs. l and 2, and a conducting brushfs, adapted to sweep over the suniiower and carried by an insulated arm projecting from the type-wheel shaft a.

.f4,f5 and f6, are printing keys corresponding to the characters on the' type-wheel of, and f7, is a double contact unison key.

h, is a spring controlled printing and unison electro magnet armature-leverhavinga spring controlled pawl h', adapted to feed the rack h2, of a paper carriage, not shown, and with a link h3, for operating a pivotal detent h4, that co-operates with a rack h5, and thus regulates and limits the feed imparted by the pawl h', to the paper-carriage. The intermediate portion of this armature lever h, is provided with a vertical projecting arm h, which actuates a pivotally supported printing hammer in such manner that when the armature lever h, is pulled up the printing pallet t, comes in contact with the paper and takes an impression from one of the characters on the typewheel ct.

The armature lever h, is provided at or near its free extremity and upon its under side with a wedge, not shown, that engages one extremity of a pivotal lever j, the other extremity of which engages one arm 3'2, of a bell crank-lever having its other arm js, in range of the spring controlled unison-latch c2, so that when the armature-lever h,-is pulled up the wedge operating through the instrumentality of the levers j, j? and js, causes the unison latch c2, to be thrown out of the outer end c3, of' its spiral groovev c', and whenthe armature lever h, falls back under the inuence of its reti-acting spring hm, the unison latch c3, is again permitted to move under the inuence of its spring c5, into engagement with the inner end o4, of the spiral groove c', of the disk o. By such described actions the pulling up of the armature-lever h, edects impressions, feeds the paper, and releases the unison latch.

g, is a mechanical circuit closer and breaker comprising a tapering stud or disk g', as illus- 'l trated in Fig. 3, loosely mounted on and insulated from a shaft or rod g2, which by means of a link g3, is pivotally connected with the upper end of the armature-lever bs, of the motor electro-magnet Z910. This rod or shaft g2, is pivotally connected at g4, to a frame, not shown. The movement of the armaturelever bs, of the motor electro-magnet b1, is simultaneously transferred to the arm g2, and contact stud or disk g', which as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, is held to required position by means of a delicate helical or coiled spring g5, mounted on the rod or shaft g2, to cause the stud. or disk g', to contact with one or more of the spring metal strips gs, g7 and g8, of the circuit closer and breaker g, secured to an insulating block or bar 910, provided with binding posts g, Q12 and g1g, for a purpose to be presently fully explained. The delicate coiled or helical spring g5, engages respectively the lower extremity of the stud or disk g, and a iianged cap gg, secured to the lower extremity of the rod or shaft g2.

In dotted lines in Fig. 3, are indicated the different positions which the movable stud or disk g', of the mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker is adapted to respectively assume by the actuation of the armature-lever bs, by means of the electromagnet Z110, when one of the character keys of the transmitter is depressed to closea local printing circuit at the receiver and which circuit is interrupted at unison position with the movable stud or disk g', of said device g, caused thereby to assume the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, hereinafter more fully explained in connection with the operation of the instruments. It may, however, be here remarked that the above described IOC IIC

mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker g, is operative only at the receiving instrument, While at the transmitting instrument by means of a manual switch it is rendered inoperative for the reason that the printing circuit is closed thereat by the depression of one of the character keys.

The set of local unison circuits that is employed in connection with the unison line circuit for starting the instruments from unison position will now be described and traced with special reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and in this connection it may be remarked that each instrument is provided with two manual switches 1c and 7.o', that are turned into open position as shown in Fig. 1, when the instrument is used as a transmitter and into closed position as shown in Fig. 2, when the instrument is used as a receiver. At the transmitter, Fig. 1, the local unison circuit passes from earth through a generator p, by the conductor I, through the outer annulusf,of the sunflower device, through the brush f3, and the unison contact segment of the inner annulus f2, of the suniiower devicef, to the contact spring f8, of the normally open double contact unison key f7, by a conductor 2. When the unison keyf7, is depressed the local circuit branches, one branch constitutes the unison line circuit to be hereinafter more fully described, and the other passes through one of the contacts f9, of the unison key f7, then by conductor 3, to and through the coils of the locking electro-magnet e3, then by conductors 4 and 5, to and through the coils of the printing and locking electro-magnet h9, and by a conductor 6, to earth. When the unison key f7, is depressed the branch constituting the unison line circuit passes from the other contact flo, of the normally open double contact unison keyf?, by a conductor `8, of high resistance to a conductor 9, to the single line conductor 10, and by the manual switch lo, and conductor 11, through the coils of the relay electro-magnet m, Fig. 2, and then by a conductor 12, through a generator n, by a conductor 20, to earth at the receiver. The local unison circuit of the receiver, Fig. 2, passes from earth by a conductor 15, through a generator o, and by a conductor 16, and back stop or post m2, through the armaturelever m', when the relay electro-magnet m is energized by the line unison circuit, then the local unison circuit of the receiver passes by a conductor 17, through the coils of the motor electro magnet blo, by a conductor 18, to earth. The motor electro magnet Z910, is thereby energized and attracts its armature-lever bs, as above described. The position of the armature-lever bs, in this instance has inade but a half stroke, so that the spring b9, holds the same momentarily in such position with the movable stud or disk g', in contact only with the spring strip g, and in which position the local printing circuit at the receiver is interrupted. When the armature-lever bs, is attracted the frame b3, of the motor by means of the link b, is shifted toward the left as illustrated in Fig. 3. Before the pawl b5, engages a tooth of the ratchet-wheel b', the movable stud or disk g', maintained in required p0 S1 tion by its spring g5, and controlled as to its vibratory movement by the armatu re-leve r bs, when the electro-magnet b1", is magnetized will contact with the spring strip Q7, and close thereby the local printing circuit at the receiver, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This local printing circuit passes from earth by a conductor through the generator 19, then a conductor 23 and manual switch Zo', occupying the closed position tothe conductor 24, and by a conductor 25, to the mechanical circuit closer and breaker g, then the local circuit passes through the spring strip 97, and the movable stud or disk g', in contact therewith and through the center contact spring strip g5, and then by the conductors 26 and 5, through the coils of the printing electro-magnet hg, and by a conductor 6, to earth.

It should be borne in mind that the pawls b4 and b5, of the motor frame b3, engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel b', mounted on the type-wheel shaft c., only near the end of the stroke of the armature-lever bs, so that the movement of the motor frame b3, in the present instance serves only to cause the contact stud or disk g', of the mechanical circuit closer and breaker to vibrate or swing to the and 3, to permit the disk or stud g thereof to contact with the spring strip Q7, so as to close the local printing circuit at the receiver, and at the same time to prevent the typewheel being moved. It will thus be observed that the type wheel shaft a, cannot be rotated at this moment at the receiver for the reason that the unison latch c2, as illustrated in Fig. 5, occupies a position at the end c3, of the spiral groove c', of the unison disk c, thereby preventing the actuation of the type-Wheel shaft a, until the unison latch, is released.

The set of local printing and motor circuits that is employed in connection with the normal printing line circuit, that is, after the unison line circuit has been broken, will now be traced and described;

At the transmitter, Fig. 1, the normal line circuit passes from earth by a conductor 20, through the generator n, by a conductor 12, through the coils ot' the relay electro-magnet m, and by conductors l1 and 2l, to the line circuitcloser and breaker d, through the contact spring d4, a conducting segment ot' the disk d', through the hub cl2, and contact spring d3, and by the conductors 22 and 9, to the line conductor 10. The normal line then passes by the manual switch 7a, of the receiver, Fig. 2, and conductors 11, 1,2 and 20, through the coils of the relay electro-magnet m., and generator n, to earth.

The local printing circuit at the transmitteris from earth through the generator 1J, conductor 1, sunflower device f, conductors 13 and 2S or 29, contacts of the keys f4,f5 orf,

-leftsufticiently as illustrated in Figs. l, 2

IOS

' rupter d, of the transmitter rests upon an in-V conductors 14 and 3, through the coilsof the locking electro-magnet e3, by the conductors 4` and 5, throughthe coils of the unison and printing electro-inagnet h", and then by the conductor 6, to earth. At the receiver the motor circuit comprises a generator o, and conductors 15, 16, 17 and 18, and is controlled by the armature lever m', of the relay electroinagnet fm. This circuit is closed by means of the armature lever m', through the coils of the motor electro-magnet b1", and the local printing circuit passes as previously described from earth through the generator p, bythe conductor 23, manual switch 7o', and conductors 24 and 275/, through the contacts g8, g', g5 or g5, g', Q7, of the mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker g, and then by conductors 26, 5 and 6, to earth through theVV coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet hg. However, at unison position this circuit is broken by reason of the fact that the stud or disk g', of the vibrating or swinging mechanical circuit closer and breaker g, is in contact'with the center spring strip g, and consequently breaks'said circuit thereat.

Assuming that the instruments are in the unison position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the starting of the instruments and effecting of the printing are, as followsz--The double contact unison key f7, is depressed at the transmitter to close the local unison circuit 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, through the coils of the locking electro-magnet e3, and through the coils of the printing electro-magnet hi), it being understood that the normal line circuit is broken at the armature lever m', by reason of the fact that the spring d4, of the circuit intersulating segment. The magnetization of the locking electro-magnet e3, causes its armaturelever e2, to be pulled down into position for locking the toothed wheel e', and type-wheel shaft a, and the magnetization of the printing and unison electro-magnet b9, causes its armature-lever h, to be pulled down with the result that the pawls h and h4, are brought into position forA feeding the paper-carriage, the printing pallet t', brings the paper into contact with theY blankY space en the 'type Wheel ce', and the unison latch c2, is shifted out of engagement with the outermost portion c3, of the spiral groove c', of the unison disk o. The depression of the double contact unison key ff, of the unison line circuit 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, lo', 11, 12 and 20, thus energizing the relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver. In this connection it may be remarked that the conductor 8, of high resistance causes a proper distribution of the current from the generator 1, to line through the coilsof the locking electro-inagnet e3, and through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet hg, of the transmitter. The relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver being thus energized pulls up its armature lever m', and closes the local unison circuit 15, 16, 17 and 18, through the coils of the motor electro magnet 191, and by means of the mechanical circuit closer and V breaker g, through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet 71.9, whereby the unison latch c2, at the receiver is released. The double unison contact keyf7, at the trans- VYmitter, Yis then released, thus breaking the local unison circuit 1,72, 3, 4, 5 and 6, through the coils of the locking electro-magnet e3, and through the coils of the printing and unison electro-magnet h, of the transmitter and also breaking the unison line circuit 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 7c', 11, 12 and 20, so that the relay electromagnet m, at the receiver is demagnetized and its armature-lever fm', is permitted to breakthe local unison circuit 15, 16, 17 and 18, through the coils of the motor electromagn'et b1?, and the coils of the printing and unison electro magnet hg, of the receiver. In this connection it may be here remarked that by releasing the double contact unison key f7, the unison latch c2, at the receiver is released simultaneously With the unison latch c2, of the transmitter, so that the type-Wheel shafts oi the transmitter and receiver are maintained in unison by reason of the fact thatY the retracting springs b9, of the motor armature levers 68,'are of like tension and retractive force and actuate the type-wheel shafts a, of both instruments upon the release of the double contact key f7, synchronously and so as to operate in unison. The unison latches at both instruments are permitted to move under the iniiuence of their retracting springs into engagement with the innermost portions c4, of their spiral grooves c', and the armature-levers e2, are shifted into position for ,releasing the shaft ce', at the transmitter so'that'the tension in the respective retracting springs b9, of the motors causes the typewheel shafts a, of both instruments to be slightly rotated; it being understood that the unison latches c2, always arrest the type-wheel shafts in such position that the retracting springs b9, are in tension as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. This rotation of the shafts a, causes the contact spring d4, and circuit interrupter d, at the transmitter to be brought into contact with a conducting seginentof the disk d',

to close the normal line circuit 20, 12, 11, 21,.

22, and 9, as illustrated in Fig. 1, and 10, lo, 11, 12 and 20, as illustrated in Fig. 2, through the coils of the relay electro-magnets m, of both instruments and to subsequently break and again make the saine. The repetition of these makes and breaks in the normal line circuit due to the ordinary operation of the circuit interrupter at the transmitter, acting through the armature levers fm', of the relay electro-magnets m, and in connection with IOO IIO

the Yretracting springs b9, and motor electro-V magnets 1910, will cause the motors b, to propel the type-wheel shafts a, and perfect synchronism of movement is insured, because each motor is controlled by its relay and both relays are controlled by the circuit interrupter at the transmitter. This is important, because accidental breakage in the line conductor 10, would result in a stoppage of the transmitter, as well as of the receiver, so that the operator at the transmitter would be apprised of the accident and would not attempt to transmit messages until the necessary re- 'pairs had been effected.

It may be here remarked that the stud, disk or circuit closer or breaker g', at the receiver by the magnetization and demagnetization of the motor electro-magnet Z910, by means of its retracting spring b9, is adapted to impart intermittent or vibratory motion by which centrifugal force is engendered to cause the stud or disk g', to be pressed downward against the force of the delicate helical or coiled spring g5, as shown by the dotted lines in Figs. 3 and 6. The contact disk g', will occupy such position until the type-wheel shaft a, of the transmitter is arrested, whereby the spring g5, will raise the swinging contact disk or circuit closer g', in such manner as to assume again its normal position as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 6, and until the stud or disk g', by means of the spring g5, causes it to contact with the strips g7 and g6 or 96 and g8, as fully illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. It will thus be understood that the local printing circuit at the receiver will be interrupted during the swinging or vibratory movements of the stud or disk g', of the circuit closer and breaker g. The contact stud or disk g', it will be seen has for nearly one half of its upper surface a range of movement beneath and between the contact strips g5, g7 and gs, during the swinging or vibratory movement thereof, thereby forming a sufficient surface 'for contact with the spring metal strips gf,

g7 and g8, whenthe swinging or Vibratory motion imparted thereto is permitted to cease. At the transmitter, however, the contact stud or disk g', operates in precisely the manner hereinbefore described, but thereat the local printing circuit is not closed thereby, because the manual switch k', occupies an open position.

The depression of a character key at the transmitter, for example, the key f, causes the local printing circuit 1, 13, 14, 3, 4, 5 and 6, to be closed `through it as soon as the sunflower brush f3, sweeps onto the contact connected with the conductor 13, whereupon the locking elcctro-magnetes, and printing and unison electro-magnet 71.9, are energized. Under these circumstances the locking electromagnet es, attracts its armature and arrests the type-Wheel shaft, and the printing and unison electro-magnet feeds the paper, throws the unison latch out of engagement and effects the impression of a character from the type-wheel, corresponding with the character of the depressed key. The locking electromagnet e3, at the transmitter, however, arrests its type-wheel shaft a, before the spring d, has passed of the segment of the disk d', over which it is traveling, as shown in Fig. 4;-, and before the motor has completed its full stroke. Consequently upon the release of the key f6, the unison-latch c2, will be returned to its initial position and then proceed in the same manner as it did before the key f6, was depressed. The arrest of the circuit inter-f rupter at the transmitterin the manner above described, that is, with the contact spring at or near the edge of a cond noting segment over which it is traveling, causes the normal line circuit 20, 12, 11, 2l, 22, 9, 10 of Fig. 1, and 11, 12 and 20, of Fig. 2, to be thereby closed to energize the relay electro-magnet m, at the receiver, and through the armature lever m', of the said magnet when pulled u p, the motor circuit is closed through the coils of the m0- tor electro-magnet Z710. This electro-magnet consequently attracts completely its armature lever bs. Under these circumstances the relay at the receiver acting through its armature lever m', arrests its motor and the latter arrests the receiver type-wheel shaft, whereupon the contact stud or disk g', of the circuit closer and breaker g, is elevated by means of the spring g5, into contact with the spring strips gand 97, thereby closing the local printing circuit 23, k', 24, 25, 26, 5 and 6, through the printing and unison electro-magnet 719, effecting thereby an impression at the receiver of a character corresponding to the character of the depressed key, and also releases the unison latch and feeds vthe paper. When the printing key f6, -is released, the motor at the transmitter completes its stroke, the unison latches of both instruments are permitted to return to` their `initial positions and hence both instruments are again set in motion.

Inasmuch as the unison latches c2, are returned to theirinitial positions every1 time an impression is taken, it follows that another letter key, as f4, may be depressed at the transmitter before the shafts are permitted to run to unison. i i

When a character key is depressed at the transmitter and the type-wheel shaft a., is arrested by means of the locking electro-magnet e3, the contact spring d4, is in such position as to rest upon the edge of an insulating segment of the disk cZ, of the line circuit interrupter d, and before the motor has completed its full stroke the line circuit will be interrupted. In such a case at the receiver the motor electro-magnet Z910, will be demagnetized and the contact disk g,of the vibrating mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker g, by means of the retracting spring b9, will be brought in contact with the metal spring strips Q6 and g8. The local printing circuit 23, 24, 26, 5 and 6, will be thereby closed, the unison and printing electro-magnet h", at the receiver will be energized at the same time with the unison and printing electro-magnet 719, at the transmitter, and on both instruments an impression `will be effected corresponding to the character of the depressed key; and moreover, the paper will be fed. Upon the release of the depressed key, the unison latches c2, of both instruments will return to their initial posi- IOC IIO

tions, as hereinbefore fully explained. Whenever it becomes necessary or desirable to bring the instruments to unison, this result may be accomplished by releasing all the keys, and afterward theinstruinents may be again operated in the manner above described, or the switches .c and 7o', in Fig. l, may be closed, and those in Fig. 2, opened, with the result that the instrument of Fig. 2, becomes the transmitter and the instrument of Fig. l, the receiver.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that an impression is made even though the normal line circuit is interrupted, so that the speed of printing is increased and depends in the present instance not alone from a closed line circuit or from an impulse sent over the line. The mechanical circuit closer and breaker g, such as hereinbefore fully described and shown is adapted for use in connection with a local printing circuit and to close' and interrupt the same, but it is manifestly obvious that such can be employed to close and interrupt any of the other circuits and still be within the scope of my present invention. Moreover, it will be obvious that use may be made of a plurality of instruments operated by a single transmitter or from a central station, whereby two instruments may be operated independently of the others connected in circuit therewith; and also that modifications may be made in lthe arrangement of the circuits and in the number and location of the generators, without departing from the spirit of the invention; and hence I do not wish to be understood as confining myself to the precise arrangements hereinbefore explained; but

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new', and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.` In a printing telegraph system, a printing circuit, an electric motor, and a Vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker operating to close and interrupt said circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a printing telegraph system, a circuit, an electric motor included therein and connected with a shaft controlling a type-wheel, and a vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker substantially as described, operating to close and interrupt said circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a printing telegraph system, a circuit, an electric motor includedtherein and connected with a shaft controlling a type-wheel, and a spring controlled vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker operating to close said circuit and to interrupt the same by the centrifugal action thereof, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. Y

4. A printing telegraph system, comprising a generator and line circuit, an electric motor included in a local circuit and controlling a shaft provided with a type-Wheel, and a spring controlled and centrifugal acting circuit closetl and breaker' operating to effect printing Afrom said type-wheel by the closingand interrupting of said line circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. A printing telegraph system, comprising a receiver and a transmitter normally operated by motors and local circuits controlled by relay electro-m agnets responding to makes and breaks produced in line by a circuit interrupteron the type-wheel shaft of the transmitter, a local printing circuit, a spring controlled and centrifugal acting mechanical circuit breaker and closer operating by the depression of a key at the transmitter to eect an impression and arrest the type-wheel shaft before the completion of the stroke of the motor thereat and before the circuit interrupter makes and breaks the line circuit, whereby the relay electro-magnet through the spring controlled armature lever causes the motor to arrest the receiver type-wheel shaft, and whereby the motors of both instruments are permitted to again start upon the release of said key at the transmitter and by the coinpletion of the partial stroke of the motor thereat, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. A printing telegraph system, comprising a transmitter and a receiver each having a relay electro-magnet responding to makes and breaks in the normal line circuit produced by an interrupter on the type-wheel shaft of the transmitter, a motor operating the driving shaft and controlled by the armature-lever of said relay electro-magnet through circuit connections, a vibrating spring controlled mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, and a unison-latch adapted to arrest its type-wheel shaft with the retracting spring of the motor in tension and with the circuit interrupter in position for breaking the normal line circuit, whereby the motors are permitted to start underthe inuence of their retracting springs and by the release of the type-wheel shafts, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. A printing telegraph system, comprising a transmitter and a receiver and each provided with a motor responding to makes and breaks in a line circuit and adapted to drive the type-wheel shaft, a Vibrating spring controlled mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, a unison device for locking the type-wheel shaft in such position that the retracting spring of the motor tends to start it, a detent locking said shaft, electroinagnets for operating said unison-latch and detent, a double contact unison key at the transmitter for controlling the local printing circuit to release said unison-device and lock and unlock the transmitter type-wheel shaft and for controlling the unison line circuit to release said unison device and lock and unlock the receiver type-wheel shaft through the intervention of a relay electro-magnet IOO IIO

and a local circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. A printing telegraph system, comprising asingle line conductor adapted to be included `in a unison line circuit, a transmitter and receiver normally operated by motors responding to makes and breaks in said circuit and provided with means for automatically closing the same at the unison position and at other positions, local motor circuits at each instrument, a local printing circuit, a spring controlled vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker controlled by a key at the transmitter and a local printing circuit controlled by the motor electro magnet of the receiver, a local unison circuit and devices controlled by a unisonkey at the transmitter and a local unison circuit and devices controlled by a relay and its spring controlledV armature-lever at thereceiver, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. A printing telegraph system, comprising a sin gle line conductor, combined transmitters and receivers normally operated through relay electro-magnets controlling the local circuits of motors and responding to makes and breaks in said line circuit and provided'respectively withtwo sets of local unison and printing circuits, a spring controlled mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker adapted to include one set of local circuits at unison position and the other set at the other positions, and manual-switches for changing the circuits to cause the instruments to operate as transmitters and receivers, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. y

l0. A printing telegraph system, comprising areceiver and transmitter having printing and locking electro-magnets and devices, relay electro-magnets, a mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker at the Vreceiver adapted to control a local unison circuit through the armature-lever of said relay electro-magnet and the coils of the printing electro-magnet of the receiver, a double contact unison key adapted to close a local unison circuit through the coils of said printing and locking electro-magnets of the transmitter and to close a unison line circuit through the coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiver, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ll. A printing telegraph system, comprising a receiver and a transmitter having printing and locking electro-magnets and devices, a relay electro-magnet at the receiver adapted to control a local unison circuit through its armature-lever and the coils of said printing electro-magnet at the receiver, a mechanical circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker, a double contact unison key adapted to close one branch of said circuit through the coils of the printing and locking electro-magnets of the transmitter and to close the other branch through a resistance and the coils of the relay electro-magnet at the receiver, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l2. In a printing telegraph system, a receiver provided with a unison electro-magnet, a local circuit through the coils of said magnet and adapted to be made and broken by the armature-lever of a relay magnet responding to makes and breaks in line, a motor, a vibrating mechanical circuit closer and breaker controlled thereby and adapted to close said local circuit through the unison magnet only at unison position, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a printing telegraph system, a transmitter provided with a local printing circuit independent of the line circuit, keys and a type-wheel shaft locking magnet interposed in said local circuit, a receiver provided with a local printing circuit and its accessories, a motor, a vibrating mechanical and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker adapted to automatically permit of the printing upon the arrest of the receiver type-wheel shaft, electrical and mechanical devices and circuits independent of the local circuits and keys operating upon the arrest of the type-wheel shaft of the transmitter to stop said motor of the receiver, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. m

14. In a printing telegraph system, the combination of a revoluble shaft provided with a type-wheel having characters` and blank spaces, means for arresting said shaft with the divisions of the type-Wheel in the printing position, mechanical and electrical devices, a local printing circuit, a motor, a mechanical swinging circuit closer and centrifugal acting interrupter, a wheel ou said shaft provided with recesses in alignment with the characters on the type-wheel and the blank spaces thereof, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l5. In apprinting telegraph system, an armature lever provided with printing, feeding and unison latch actuating devices and having an electro-magnet and local circuit connections independent of the line circuit and controlled by keys at the transmitter and by a mechanical swinging circuit closer and centrifugal acting interrupter at the receiver,sub stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

.16. In aprinting telegraph system, a spring controlled unison-latch, a system of levers for operating said latch, a printing and paper feeding armature-lever provided with a Wedge in sliding engagement with one of said levers, a mechanical swinging circuit closer and breaker, and an electromagnet and circuit connections for actuating the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

17. In a printing telegraph system, a unison latch, levers for operating said latch, an armature lever actuating printing devices in sliding engagement with one of said levers, a mechanical vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, and an electromagnet and circuit connections for control- IIO irs

Y controlled unison latch, a system of levers for operating said latch, a pivotal printing hammer, an armature-lever provided with an arm having a projection in range of a rod on the printing hammer and with a wedge for operating'the system of levers, a vibrating circuit closer and centrifugal acting breaker, and an electro-magnet `and circuit connections for controlling said circuit closer and breaker, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 19 In a printing telegraph system, a unison latch, levers'forv operating said latch, a printing hammer, an armature-lever provided with paWl-and-ratchet connections for feeding a paper-carriage and operating said levers, a projection on said armature-lever disposed in range ofra rod on the printing-hammer, a mechanical vibratin g and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker, and an electro-magnet for actuatingn said armature-lever, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

20. In a'printing telegraph system, a printing mechanism, a paper-carriage, a type-wheel shaft provided with a unison spiral and with ratchet and stop-wheels, a reciprocating-bar provided with pawls and detents co-operating with saidratchet and stop-wheels, a spring controlled armature-lever connected with nections, a type-Wheel and a type-wheel shaft, a relay electro-magnet and its circuit connections, a motor, and a Ymechanical swinging YYcircuit closer and centrifugal acting Ybreaker adapted to synchronously release the type- Wheel'shaft through said relay and circuit connections, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

22. In a printing telegraphV system, transmittin g and receiving instruments, relay electro-magnets for controlling said instruments,

a line through the coils of said relay electromagnets, circuit interrupters on the typewheel shaft of each instrument, a manuall switch at each instrument for controlling line and local circuits and for permitting an instrument being used either as a transmitter trifugal acting circuit makerYV and breaker,

and mechanical and electrical devices adapted to eect impressions upon the arrest-of one of the instruments on makes and breaks of current at the transmitting and receiving instruments, substantially as set forth.

23. A printing telegraph system, comprising a transmitter and a Yreceiver each having an electro-magnet to reciprocate a spring controlled bar provided with pawls and detents co-operating with ratchet and stop wheels mounted on type-Wheel shafts of both instruments, a line circuit formed out of a local circuit at the transmitter, a relay electro-magnet included in said line circuit and adapted to close the local motor circuit at the receiver and to partially move said motor bar Without actuating said type-Wheel shaft of the receiver and at the same time to move a mechanical vibrating and centrifugal acting circuit closer and breaker out of unison position so as toclose a local printing circuit through the coils ofsaid printing electro-magnet at the receiver, whereby the unison latch of the unison spiral device is liberated and the type-wheel shaft Vof the receiver is simultaneously released with the type-'Wheel shaft of the transmitter and permitted to operate in unison with each other upon the release of a unison key at the transmitting instrument, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT A. FOWDEN.

Witnesses: f

' THOMAS M. SMITH,

RICHARD C. MAXWELL. 

